COMMUNION IN PRAYER WITH THE SAINTS

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

COMMUNION IN PRAYER WITH THE SAINTS

Our Holy Orthodox Church has always held the teaching of the invocation of the saints, being fully convinced that they intercede for us before God in heaven. This we see from the ancient Liturgies. In the Liturgy of the Holy Apostle James it is said: "Especially we perform the memorial of the Holy and Glorious Ever-Virgin , the Blessed Theotokos. Remember her, O Lord God, and by her pure and holy prayers spare and have mercy on us." Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, explaining the Liturgy of the Church of Jerusalem, remarks: "Then we also commemorate (in offering the Bloodless Sacrifice) those who have previously departed first of all, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, so that by their prayers and intercession God might receive our petition."

Numerous are the testimonies of the Holy Fathers and Teachers of the Church, especially from the 4th century onwards, concerning the Church VENERATION of the saints. But already from the beginning of the 2nd century there are direct indications in ancient Christian literature concerning faith in prayer of the saints in heaven for their earthly brethren. The witness of the martyric death of Saint Ignatius the God-bearer (beginning of the 2nd century say: "Having returned home with tears, we had the all-night virgil… Then, after sleeping a little, some of us suddenly saw blessed Ignatius standing and embracing us, and others likewise saw him praying for us." Similar records, mentioning the prayers and intercessions for us of the holy martyrs, are to be found in other accounts from the epoch of persecutions against Christians.

Orthodox Christians do not worship the Saints but the Almighty God alone. The saints of the Church are respected, revered and VENERATED. Such a Great Saint and Martyr is the Holy and Great Martyr George who is commemorated on April 23rd. When his feast falls during Lent than he is celebrated on the Monday following Pascha of Bright Week.

The renowned and Glorious holy Martyr was born in Cappadocia, the son of rich and God-fearing parents. His father suffered for Christ, after which his mother moved to Palestine. When George grew up, he went into the army, in which he rose, by the age of twenty, to the rank of Tribune, or CHILIARCH (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honored for this courage, and as such was in service under the pagan Emperor Diocletian. When this Emperor began a terrible persecution of Christians, George came before him and boldy confessed that he was a Christian. The wicked Emperor threw him into prison, and commanded that his feet be put in the stocks and a heavy weight placed on his chest. After that, he commanded that he be bound on a wheel, under which was a board with great nails protruding, and thus be turned. He then had him buried in a pit with only his head above the ground, and left there for three days and nights. Then, through some magician, he gave him deadly poison, but in the face of all these tortures, George prayed unceasingly to God, and God healed him instantly and saved him from death, to the great amazement of the people. When he also raised a dead man to life by his prayers, many embraced the Christian faith. Among these was the Emperor’s wife, Alexandra, and the chief pagan priest, Athanasius, the Governor Glycerius and Valerius, Donatus, and Therinus. Finally, the Emperor commanded that George and the Empress Alexandra be beheaded. Blessed Alexandra died on the scaffold before being killed, and Saint George was beheaded. This happened in the year 303 A.D. The miracles that have been performed at his grave are without number. Also are his appearances in dreams to those who, thinking of him, have sought his help, from time up to the present day. Consumed by love for Christ, it was not difficult for holy George to leave all for this love — his status, wealth and imperial favor, his friends and the whole world. For this love, the Lord rewarded him with a wreath of unfading glory in heaven and on earth, and with eternal life in His Kingdom. The Lord further endowed him with the power to help in need and distress all who honor him and call on his name. [Souce: The Prologue from Ochrid]

His sacred remains (holy relics) were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised in his name. (The translation of the Saint’s holy relics to the church in Lyddas is commemorated on November 3rd; Saint Alexandra the Queen on April 21st.

Through the centuries Saint George has shown himself to be a swift and present helper to all who call on him with faith, whether on land or sea, no the uttermost ends of the earthly; ye so many miracles have been worked at his tomb in Lydda (the present-day Lod), that when Palestine was in teh hands of the Muslims, they took half of his church and turned it into a mosque, which may will be seen to this day, dedicated in his honor and terrifying to the abundant power of his intercessions.

Please note: The Orthodox Christian Tradition for the faithful is to honor their patron Saint on his feast-day. Every Orthodox when baptized is given a Christian name, in other words a name of one of the Saints or even of a major holy day, i.e., Evaggelia (Annunciation) or Anastasios (Resurrection).
On the holy day of the feast the Orthodox Christian would prepare himself/herself to attend the Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion as the greatest of all blessings.
The celebration of birthdays was a pagan custom.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

LIBERATOR of captives, defender of the poor, physician of hte sick,
and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer Great Martyr George,
intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

HAVING been cultivated well by the Lord God, as the most honored
cultivator of piety thou hast now gathered sheaves of virtues for
thyself; for, as thou didst sow with tears, thou dost reap with rejoicing;
with thy blood didst thou contest and thou now hast received Christ.
And by thine intercessions, O Saint George, thou grantest all the
forgiveness of trespasses.

________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George